Firewood Vaporizer

[ohmygodimsohigh]

I've just removed several posts that were off-topic (VAT and taxation debate). Please keep this thread on the topic of the Firewood.

Thank you.

You da real MVP Stu!

Oh, really enjoying my FW6!!
It's the first vape with a stir stick that I remember to replace IMMEDIATELY after using!!

I did a live FW6 review on youtube

The first 1:50 is me ranting though, in case you want to skip the nonsense.

 

[NOLOGO]

I've just removed several posts that were off-topic (VAT and taxation debate). Please keep this thread on the topic of the Firewood.

Thank you.

my apologies to all for taking the bait, as it were, on that off topic stuff.
If I need that debate I'll go to Facebook.
(Or engage my in-laws lol)

For those keeping track of the fw6 list, I received and paid my invoice today. I was in the "next week" group in Marc's Sept 30 email regarding timeline. Really looking forward to this one! And thanks for the video @ohmygodimsohigh ! Saw it a few days ago. Always enjoy your perspective!

 

[chicago_animal]

my apologies to all for taking the bait, as it were, on that off topic stuff.
If I need that debate I'll go to Facebook.
(Or engage my in-laws lol)

For those keeping track of the fw6 list, I received and paid my invoice today. I was in the "next week" group in Marc's Sept 30 email regarding timeline. Really looking forward to this one! And thanks for the video @ohmygodimsohigh ! Saw it a few days ago. Always enjoy your perspective!

So he's currently about a week or two behind. That's not bad

 

[letter never sent]

I also was in the 9/30 group and got my invoice today. I was on the fence, but VAS got the best of me and I’m jumping in. Will report back.

 

[moondog]

I have to chime in as another reader who did not get a sense of defensiveness in Marc's replies and was quite pleased (although not surprised) at the amount of info he was willing to share with us.

I just divorced myself from Grasshopper Labs after sticking with them through years of shitty or non-existent communication. Marc's communication and openness with us is one of the main reasons I'm now exclusively a Firewood vapist.

These first few weeks of a roll-out, when VAS reaches a peak due to anticipation and we are all anxiously awaiting our NVD are always tough, especially when coupled with the almost inevitable hiccups that come with a roll-out.

Me, when I know I have a wait like this in store I distract myself. This time around, maybe I'll distract myself by buying a new guitar.

 

[Chingas]

Happily waiting my turn to get the fw6

 

[NOLOGO]

I sense a bit of defensiveness

i have to continually remind myself that it is nearly impossible to accurately detect intended tone in the typed word. And when i AM able to detect tone, its almost always not the intended tone of the author. Circumstances and preconceived notions always get in the way. It’s just the nature of the beast.

I'll report on my fw6 after a good week of use, so hopefully in around 2 weeks or so!

 

[Fat Freddy]

I'm sorry if you misunderstood, I was asking a genuine question. I didn't know if you had one yet or not. Sorry if I sound defensive.

The issues that you are asking me to be forthcoming about... I just gave way more info than most vendors ever would and I gave the info as soon as I had enough confidence to post it and enough time to write it up. I'm not sure what else I can do.

WOW! I guess when you miss the mark, you miss the marc!

It looks like he DOES have plenty of fanboys! At least 17 of them! Who knew?

 

[Sativapo]

17 fanboys or a hater boy? The fact we told you saw a tone that doesn't exist or like to read an update doesn't make us fanboys. ( maybe we're fans of vaping though that's why we're here) When I had some issues with my 5 I told it here (also told it when marc fixed them) and even told I am hesitating about buying the 6 given some issues I read about here. (Think I will though if Marc fixes them)

 

[Brewervapesalot]

Gave the FW6 a session tonight, right next to FW5. You know, it might just be user error, but I can get that FW5 to knock me over and not so much yet with the FW6.

I think I could raise the temperature a little and that would help. Also I think I can be more careful with herb on the rim of the bowl, as that wont help anything.

The rectangular feel and retractable mouth piece is nice. I'm still clumsy with locking and opening mechanism. The squeeze start up feels awkward still. I am going to agree with a prior poster that I disagreed with earlier; the FW6 does feel more fragile than the FW5. The lock mechanism and hinge. But I'm not sure I wont like this design more in the end.

Clouds are inconsistent, but definitely intensify as the unit heats up. Cigar puffs on a tighter pack works. Did get some big clouds.

Taste is better that FW5 perhaps.

Can I take the bowl out to clean it? I hope so.

 

[Sativapo]

I think we were told the bowl can get out for cleaning or even replaced.

 

[hippogriff]

Can I take the bowl out to clean it? I hope so.

There’s a slot cut out of the body next to the bowl, the stash lid/stir tool also serves to enter that slot and push out the ceramic bowl for alcohol cleaning.

Curious what temp settings you are using, I’m thinking w the new system I’ll set them to 350, 380, and 410 before I load the first bowl...

 

[Brewervapesalot]

I have not adjusted the temperature yet. I'm not sure what is going on. I get some flavor but no cloud for a draw or two or three. Then as it heats up, I get clouds, even some big ones. But it is not consistent. And I have no secret way to make it work perfectly each draw.

The FW5, on the other hand, I can milk very consistently.

The squeeze trigger I am not sold on yet. There's a bit of play and it seems fragile and finicky. When the heater engages you dont feel a satisfying confirmation like pressing a button. Instead you feel little and have to wait for the buzz.

So i will keep trying, but, in sum, I was more excited when I first got to use the FW5 than I am with first using the FW6.

 

[KeroZen]

For those having used the Firefly (any version) and tested the FW6, could you please comment on the reports about having to perform long and slow draws to get good hits? Is that similar to the FF?

I have pretty weak lungs (had two surgeries) and any vape that requires 10 seconds or longer draws is a burden to me. I'm not a cloud chaser but I got enough vapes that can produce satisfying (to me) amounts of vapor in under 10 seconds draws (some are okay with 5 seconds only)

With its narrow stem system and the user reports we got so far, I'm concerned that the FW6 might not be for me after-all (I don't mind the quirks and initial flaws, any new product has some, and I didn't want to be an early adopter since I'm not in the USA and I knew returns would be problematic. I also know that Marc really stands behind his products so that's not the issue here)

 

[Brewervapesalot]

For those having used the Firefly (any version) and tested the FW6, could you please comment on the reports about having to perform long and slow draws to get good hits? Is that similar to the FF?

I have pretty weak lungs (had two surgeries) and any vape that requires 10 seconds or longer draws is a burden to me. I'm not a cloud chaser but I got enough vapes that can produce satisfying (to me) amounts of vapor in under 10 seconds draws (some are okay with 5 seconds only)

With its narrow stem system and the user reports we got so far, I'm concerned that the FW6 might not be for me after-all (I don't mind the quirks and initial flaws, any new product has some, and I didn't want to be an early adopter since I'm not in the USA and I knew returns would be problematic. I also know that Marc really stands behind his products so that's not the issue here)

The FW5 even with a tighter pack is much more free flowing than the FW6. The bowl is perhaps half as deep as the FW6.

The draw restriction on my FF2 was much more than the FW6. Really, you can adjust the draw restriction on the FW6 by adjusting pack tightness. Whereas on the FF2 , there is no adjustment. FF2 doesn't get packed tight at all (or you will combust).

So far on the FW6, it is a deeper, angled bowl, that I agree with another poster it likes to be full and tamped. As to draw restriction, full and tamped on the FW5 is pretty free flowing because the bowl is quite shallow.

My last thought is that I really do think I prefer an easily removable bowl (FW5) . The FW6 bowl has a wooden lip arouhd it and material gets on the lip and u have to be careful to brush it away or you'll have non airtight seal. On the go, I would not like having to do that.

Thst all said, the unit probably will grow on me. Its just so different than the FW5 that I have relearn best practices. Well see..

Edit: to answer keroken's question directly, yes the FW6 is a long slower draw. Alternatively, cigar type puffs mixed in seems ramp up the heater to help produce clouds.

 

[hippogriff]

I have not adjusted the temperature yet.

I fuzzily remember from a previous post that stock temps on FW6 struck me as really low, like temp 1 was 300 or something? Can’t find it right now, just remember thinking “that’s gonna confuse somebody...”

EDIT: found it, stock temp 1 is 300-310 for FW6 vs 350 for the FW5, which is where I spent most of my time the last year and a half.

 

[Brewervapesalot]

Mine is level 4. What temp is that?

 

[hippogriff]

Mine is level 4. What temp is that?

410-420, which should be fast and plentiful

not my image:
https://imgur.com/z2zV9eN

EDIT: photo posted by @rvarick btw, thanks

 

[Brewervapesalot]

I'll bump the temperature up on the FW6 and see how that goes. It is producing vapor at level 4. Just inconsistently. It might be just user error.

I'll be super careful about packing and try several different packing techniques and report back.

I want to like this FW6. The size and shape is very nice. The flavor is great. The mechanism can grow on me. It has on board storage and that's a plus. And it has not broken even if I think it may be fragile. I have to say it hasn't yet broke though and may never.

 

[rvarick]

Your recent posts sound exactly like what I was experiencing with my FW6, and comparing it to the 5. Mine is getting a look at the moment. Hope you figure out how to make your 6 perform more consistently and would love to hear how if so. Def bump the temps up. I was using 360-370 for level 1, 400-410 for level 2 and 440-450 for level 3.

 

[hippogriff]

Your recent posts sound exactly like what I was experiencing with my FW6, and comparing it to the 5. Mine is getting a look at the moment. Hope you figure out how to make your 6 perform more consistently and would love to hear how if so. Def bump the temps up. I was using 360-370 for level 1, 400-410 for level 2 and 440-450 for level 3.

Glad some FW5 folks are experiencing the same FW6 issues - FW5 was a near perfect vape for me, and fairly technique-free, combusters did ok w it - so we can get to the bottom of this.

 

[Brewervapesalot]

Some tips:

1. Bowl as some else said does come out easily, remove mouthpiece and poke out from bottom. Screen isnt replaceable but is more sturdy than FW5's and pretty easy to clean actually.

2. Load the bowl. Put your finger tip over herb in the bowl and blow around your finger tip. No more herb caught around lip of the bowl. This will ensure nice seal and very easy to do.

I'm still experimenting and not quite getting consistent clouds, but it's getting better, I think. At least I'm high!

 

[Jill NYC]

Got mine back a few hours ago.
These are just first impressions - need time to give a fair review.
Also, I have said before, this is my first Firewood, so can’t compare to FW5 (maybe that’s a good thing - seems hard to beat!).

Lede:
I love this guy!
I have had great flavor, very little draw resistance and the draw speed feels very natural and easy.
Vapor is good, and it seems to be extracting evenly.

On the other hand - those who have asked who have dexterity issues - this vape may not be right for you.
I could imagine someone with severe hand issues would struggle to click several times in a row and also grasp it while drawing for a good 10-15 seconds (maybe less - that is a guess, I haven’t actually timed it yet).
I have “achy” hands - nothing diagnosed - but I can feel how if I were worse off, it would be an issue to use this regularly.

Questions for anyone who already has the 6 and / or @firewood:
I am so confused on how to tell what temp each level is set at...
Can you tell me how to decode the buzzes for temp level?
Here is what I believe each level is supposed to be set at (Marc did me a solid and set them for me) and how many buzzes I get when I press 6 times:
Level 2 should be at 360F - it buzzes 3 times, pauses and then buzzes 6 times
Level 3 should be at 390F - it buzzes 3 times, pauses and then buzzes 9 times
Level 4 should be at 420F - it buzzes 4 times, pauses and then buzzes 2 times
According to the chart on the manual - the only one that makes sense to me is level 4.
Don’t get me wrong - the temps feel right - I was able to step up and it seemed to get hotter with each level and tasted fully extracted after using level 4 - I just want to figure out how to tell, so I can tweak temps a bit more.

And while I am talking about buzzes... (btw - just had to make sure I was spelling that correctly- it looks really weird when you type it out so many times after getting buzzed )
After I take a draw - it buzzes randomly. I have had it buzz 1 time (which is what manual says it should do) and also 7 times, and 8 times and 5 times and once it buzzed 1 time, paused and then buzzed 4 more times.
What do they mean?

Gotta jump for now...

 

[Brewervapesalot]

That's great news @Jill NYC . I wish I knew how to change temps too. I think that's a not being medicated while learning thing...

I'm getting good to very good vapor now though:

1. Pack pretty tight. Tighter than FW5, not as tight as pax.

2. Make sure no herb on the bowl's lip before putting the pieces together. The draw will be somewhat tight and restricted.

3. Toss in some cigar puffs at the end, and/or the beginning, but definitely at the end.

Seems to work? Anyone comment? Their methods?

 

[moondog]

On the other hand - those who have asked who have dexterity issues - this vape may not be right for you.
I could imagine someone with severe hand issues would struggle to click several times in a row and also grasp it while drawing for a good 10-15 seconds (maybe less - that is a guess, I haven’t actually timed it yet).
I have “achy” hands - nothing diagnosed - but I can feel how if I were worse off, it would be an issue to use this regularly.

Thanks for the update.

Your thoughts about hand issues do have me pretty concerned. I have pain and stiffness in both hands which can get fairly severe at times and which lead to dexterity problems. They may or may not get better; no way to know right now.

So I guess I'll have to think about whether the 6 is right for me. I really, really want it to be, but if, when I need my vape most I can't use it, I'm kinda screwed.

Adding to the disappointment of not being able to work a Firewood is the question for which I have not found an answer: If not a FW, then what? But that's a question for a different sub-forum, I think.

In the meantime, I've got a while before I get notified of available 6's, so I'll wait to see if other people have similar experiences/impressions.

Thanks again Jill. Appreciate all the good info.

~moondog